George Shearing: The 1995 'Morning Edition' Interview : A Blog SupremeIn 1995, the late great jazz pianist George Shearing had cause to celebrate. He was 75 — meaning he had already been pleasing audiences for over 50 years — and he had a new album to mark the occasion. He spoke to NPR host Bob Edwards.

Listen Now: George Shearing On NPR's 'Morning Edition,' 1995

British jazz pianist George Shearing (left) and American singer Joe Williams attend a press reception in London in 1962 before beginning a tour of Britain together.
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Central Press/Getty Images

British jazz pianist George Shearing (left) and American singer Joe Williams attend a press reception in London in 1962 before beginning a tour of Britain together.

Central Press/Getty Images

You see, because one thing we can do is to make other people happy by sharing with them the gift that we've been given by God which made us happy in the first place. And I think if you live by that kind of philosophy you won't spend too much time finding out how hard done by you are.—George Shearing

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In 1995, the late great jazz pianist George Shearing had cause to celebrate. He was 75 — meaning he had already been pleasing audiences for over 50 years — and he had a new album to mark the occasion: Walkin', a live trio date with Neal Swainson and Grady Tate.

So NPR's Morning Edition asked Shearing for an interview, with then-host Bob Edwards. The whole thing ended up being long enough for two parts over two days, on May 4-5, 1995.

In part one, Shearing talks about his then-new record. It may surprise some to hear him talking about how his trio integrates free improvisation; he also explains how he listens to song lyrics, and describes how he learned to love a complex Lee Konitz tune. ("Subconscious-Lee," if you're wondering.)

Part two focuses on the George Shearing quintet which introduced so many listeners to jazz after World War II. He discusses his signature "locked hands" technique — crediting Milt Buckner with the invention — and how he broadened the audience for jazz. Blind since birth, he's helped many with more than his music, especially during blackouts in World War II.

A Blog Supreme is an ongoing conversation about jazz for both indoctrinated fans and curious listeners. Want to know more? Read our introduction to the blog. Want to get in touch with with host Patrick Jarenwattananon and the team? Send us an email.